Traveling case



1940- M. DE BOTELHO 5 TRAVELING CASE Filed Nov. 17, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Jan. 16, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRAVELING CASE Martin de Botelho, New York, N. Y. Application November 17, 1937, Serial No. 175,153

4 Claims. My invention pertains to traveling cases, beauty cases, and to bags having a removable section.

The principal object of myinvention is to provide such cases with a removable section which may be placed on a bureau or dressing table independently of the main section of said case.

A further object is to provide a case with a removable section which constitutes a part of the top cover of the case.

An additional object is satisfied by the fact that my case requires no hinge for a top along its back edge. As an auxiliary to this latter object, provision is made for a rocking joint which permits ready separation of the removable section from the case.

Other advantages resulting from my improved traveling case construction will be apparent from a reading of my drawings and the description thereof in the following partsof my specifications.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of my case in an open position with the removable section removed therefrom; I

Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal section of my case when it is completely closed;

Fig. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of my casein a closed position; i

A separate perspective of the removable and independent section of my case is shown in Fig. 4.

As shown in Fig. 1, my traveling case comprises a box-like main body portion I, similar end como partments 3 and 5, and a removable section I I which may be furnished with fittings 9 and a folding mirror The body portion ismade open on one side for purposes to be described. The end compartments 3 and 5 are in the form of rectangular troughs which are connected to theends of the case at the top edges by means of hinges l3 and I5 respectively, so that they may be swung from an inverted position over the case to an everted one adjacent the outside of. an end of the case. The end compartments 3 and 5 may be provided with closures l1 and and I9, respectively.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention, each of the end compartments is as long as my main body portion l is wide and serves as a closure for a corresponding end section thereof. The remainder of the main closure is supplied by a lid or cover 2| of the removable section 1.

Ahinge 23 connects the cover2l of the section I to a fitted rectangular tray 24. A complete beauty case with suitable mirror accommodation is provided by the compartment or section 1. Figs. 2 and 3 show the manner in which lateral sides 25, 21, 29, and 3| of the cover 2| overhang or extend beyond the sides of tray 24.

In order to retain the end compartments 3- and 5 in closing relation, they are provided with shoulders or flanges 33 and 35, respectively, which will engage the bottom edges of the sides 21 and 3| of the cover 2| when the section 7 is in place in the case (Fig. 2).

To enhance the dust-proof qualities of my traveling case, complementary bevels may be made on the abutting edges of the main body portion I, the end compartments3 and 5, and the cover 2| of the removable section 1. This relationship is illustrated in Fig. 3 by the beveled edges 37 and 39- of the-cover 2| and main body portion respectively. In this same figure there is shown another important part of my invention, to wit, the rocking joint alluded to previously. This rocking joint is formed by a horizontal strip 4|, which is secured to the inside of the rear side 43 of the box-like body portion I, and a complementary but larger groove 45 which extends horizontally along the back of tray 24.

An additional strip 41 for supporting the bottom of tray 24 extends parallel to the strip 4|, and'a short distance below it on the rear side 43. A third strip 49, which is secured in a corresponding position inside the front side 5| of the body portion supports the opposite end of tray 24 at the bottom. Four vertical members 53, 55, 51, and 59 which also are secured to the inside of the front and rear sides of the main body portion I prevent the removable section i from shiftlng longitudinally of said body portion i.

It should be noted that the overhanging front lateral side 25 and rear lateral side 29 of tray 24 lie in vertical alignment with the front side 5| and the rear side 43, when the removable section I is in place.

Suitable latching means 6| secure the cover 2| to the main body portion l, as shown in Fig. 1.

From the above description of my invention it will appear that unlatching of the means 6| will permit the cover 2| to be lifted, which will in turn release the flanges 33 and 35 and the end compartments 3 and 5. The movable section can then be rocked about the strip 4| and the abutting edges 31 and 39 to obtain access to the entirebody portion or section 1 can be removed bodily for independent service. When the section or center compartment '1 is removed, there is none of the usual difi'iculties with a cover that will not remain open or which is heavy enough to tilt the case backwards.

The specific embodiment of my invention which has been shown and fully described is the preferred one, but it is not my intention to be limited thereto, except as required by the scope of the appended claims.

What I consider novel and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A traveling case comprising a box-like main body portion having an open side; a pair of rectangular compartments of a length corresponding to the width of the main body portion hinged to opposite edges of the open side so as to close the adjacent end parts of the main body portion when they are swung thereover, each of said compartments having an outwardly extended flange on the edge opposite its hinged connection; a readily and completely removable center section comprising a tray with a groove in its rear vertical side and a cover hinged to said tray, the lower edges of the sides of said cover overhanging said tray and resting upon the flanges of the endcompartments and upon the front and rear sides of the main body portion so as to hold the end compartments in closing position and to complete the closure of the open side of the main body portion; a horizontal strip on the rear side of the body portion for engaging the groove in the adjacent rear side of the tray; means within the body portion for supporting said tray; and means for latching the removable section to the main body portion. 7

2. A traveling case comprising a box-like body portion having an open side; two compartments connected respectively to the body portion at opposite ends of the open side and each swingable to a position overlying a portion of the open side; a readily and completely removable center section which includes a tray with a groove in its rear vertical side and a lid hinged to said tray, said lid having front and rear sides which overhang the tray so as to rest upon the front and rear sides of the body portion; cooperating means on the compartments and center section for re! taining the compartments in their overlying positions when the center section is in place in the body portion and its'lid closed; and means within the body portion for supporting said tray including a strip at the rear side of the body portion for engaging the groove in the adjacent rear side of the tray. 7

3. A traveling case which comprises a box-like main body portion having an open side; a bodily removable closure section for said open side which includes a tray having a groove extending longitudinally of the rear side face thereof, and a lid hingedly connected to said tray, said lid having front and rear sides which overhang the tray and rest upon the front and rear sides respectively of the main body portion when the removable section is in place; means including a strip complemental to the said tray groove for supporting the tray within the body portion; and means for latching said section to the main body portion.

4. A traveling case comprising a box-like main body portion open on one side; two compartments connected to said body portion adjacent the opposite ends respectively of the open side and each being movable to a position overlying a portion of the open side; and a removable section formed by a tray with a cover hinged (3181131 to, and having lateral sides arranged on said cover to extend beyond the limits of the tray, said removable section being fitted into the top of said body portion so that its cover together with the said two compartments serves as the top covering for said body portion on its open side with the tray lying within the main body portion and two of the lateral sides of said cover resting upon the upper edges of the front and rear sides respectively of said body portion.

MARTIN DE BOTELHO. 

